A couple of weeks ago, we returned from a family holiday in the Netherlands where my husband and I rented a couple of bikes for a few days (the kids took their scooters and we got very tired very quickly, trying to keep up!)

Maybe it was just the smooth flat roads or the Dutch pastries and hagelslag going to my head, but I fell in love with Dutch bikes! The more upright position is not only so much more comfortable, but also encourages you to look up, slow down and take in all your surroundings. This is a poem dedicated to Dutch bikes (and glimmers).

Glimmers (a term created by Deb Dana- Polyvagal Theory expert extraordinaire) are any small moments which bring a sense of safety, soothing and calm to the nervous system. They help us feel more grounded and present, often bringing a sense of joy, hope or peace. It could be as small as snuggling under a cosy blanket, a favourite smell, music, birdsong, hugs, a warm cup of tea [insert favourite beverage], dancing in your kitchen, speaking to a friend, stroking an animal…the list is endless. When I was severely ill with ME/CFS, one of my favourite things to do was lie on my bed with my head and face angled into the small slither of sunlight streaming through the window. I still love to feel the sun on my face.

What are your glimmers? How many can you notice throughout your day?